Philips Music Module 1205: trigger a recorded sound via MIDI?

Resident (51)

29-09-2021, 17:24

Hi everyone,

I have a Yamaha CX5M with a modded SFG01sound module (with SFG05 EPROM). I'm still on the hunt for a Philips Music module in the hopes of using it as an old sampler. I have a question though: can a recorded sound be triggered by an external keyboard, such as a Yamaha YK-01/10/20 or an external midi keyboard (via the SFG05 module)? The 1205 manual says that MIDI IN and THRU aren't used. Why are those sockets there then and how does one trigger any sounds?

I'm now confused by what this is capable of doing. Any help would be great. Thanks!

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Par meits

Scribe (6533)

29-09-2021, 20:03

MIDI in on the 1205 is used. I've used it several times.
I can't confirm for the MIDI through as I never used it, nor took time to investigate.

Par MsxKun

Paragon (1115)

29-09-2021, 20:20

Of course the MIDI in from the Philips Music Module works.
That was my little fun using the MSX as a synth with a MIDI keyboard to play it, some time ago.

You get MIDI data if you read the proper port. How you trigger any sounds is up to you, it's the same way you would trigger them when making a game, or anything. No matter if PSG, SCC, FM...

Par MsxKun

Paragon (1115)

29-09-2021, 20:21

For a little inmediate fun, when you plug a MIDI keyboard on the Music Module, and using Moonblaster, if you go to the sound editor, you can change the input to MIDI and check the instruments using the MIDI keyboard. And it's polyphonic!

Par Soft Automaton

Resident (51)

29-09-2021, 20:40

Hey thanks for the quick reply! Interesting! So the manual is incorrect then, I guess? I assumed the MIDI would work and am only asking since the manual said otherwise all of a sudden. I'm still trying to navigate how all this works (the MSX environment). I haven't had an MSX for very long and am still looking for a SD cartridge. I've never used Moonblaster. I assumed I'd be able to try that once I get one of the SD Mapper cartridges...

Have you successfully recorded your voice into it, then triggered it via keyboard? I'm not aware of what Music Module is capable of but the 8BIT sampling seemed like a really interesting thing.

Par MsxKun

Paragon (1115)

29-09-2021, 20:43

Soft Automaton wrote:

Hey thanks for the quick reply! Interesting! So the manual is incorrect then, I guess?

I think the manual maybe says the MIDI won't work with the internal firmware program, wich is true, it doesn't.

Soft Automaton wrote:

Have you successfully recorded your voice into it, then triggered it via keyboard? I'm not aware of what Music Module is capable of but the 8BIT sampling seemed like a really interesting thing.

Nah, my voice sucks. But with Moonblaster you can record some samples too.

Par Soft Automaton

Resident (51)

29-09-2021, 22:34

OK thanks for clarifying. I look forward to trying it, including Moonblaster.

Par Manuel

Ascended (19298)

29-09-2021, 22:56

@Soft Automaton: I guess you are very much talking about the built-in software of the Music Module. But in practice, I don't know anyone who really uses that.

Par Soft Automaton

Resident (51)

29-09-2021, 23:27

Yeah I'm pretty specifically interested in using the sampling feature and having it midi triggered from other software. I probably can't fully appreciate what it's capable of but that's what I wanted to do with this first.

Par Soft Automaton

Resident (51)

05-10-2021, 14:46

MsxKun wrote:

I think the manual maybe says the MIDI won't work with the internal firmware program, which is true, it doesn't.

Can you elaborate? That contradicts what others just wrote here. You're saying that using the stock software / firmware you cannot trigger anything with MIDI IN. My original assertion was true then? Now I'm confused again and wonder why those ports would be there. Was it yet another half-baked product? It didn't seem like it was but I'm still waiting on a delivery of the cartridge. I don't have one yet to know this first hand.

Par meits

Scribe (6533)

05-10-2021, 14:52

He does not say the hardware does not work, but the built in program does not utilize all options the hardware offers. Third party programs like some trackers do.